Nation & World News

Libyan armed group frees detained Egyptian trucks

Esam Mohamed Associated Press

Posted:
04/05/2014 11:53:26 AM PDT

Updated:
04/05/2014 01:08:21 PM PDT

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Officials say militiamen in Libya have freed over 50 Egyptian trucks on the road to the country's east after they detained them to protest the prosecution of members of their group in Egypt on arms smuggling charges.

Libyan Interior Ministry spokesman Rami Kaal said Saturday that gunmen had prevented the trucks from entering the city of Ajdabiya. He says drivers and passengers have been waiting with their vehicles on the side of the road since Friday. Officials in the city said they were later let go late Saturday.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry said it is in contact with Libyan authorities over the incident.

In January, gunmen briefly kidnapped six Egyptian diplomats and embassy employees following the arrest of a Libyan militia leader in Egypt.